Electrical discharge lamp and arrangements therefor



June 29, 1954 GERMER 2,682,612

ELECTRICAL DISCHARGE LAMP AND ARRANGEMENTS THEREFOR Filed June 21, 1950 2 Sheets-Sheet l BY MW A TTOENEY June 29, 1954 E. GERMER 2,682,612

ELECTRICAL DISCHARGE LAMP AND ARRANGEMENTS THEREFOR Filed June 21, 1950 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. EDM ND GERMER 4 TTOENEY Patented June 2 9,

ELECTRICAL DISCHARGE LAMP AND ARRANGEMENTS THEREFOR Edmund Germer, Berlimwaimsee, Germany, assignor to Hanovia Chemical & Mfg. 00., Newark, N. J., a corporation of New Jersey Application June 21, 1950, Serial No. 169,315

4 Claims. 1

This invention relates to lamps and is concerned in particular with devices for combining different types of radiation for illumination and/or for ultraviolet radiating purposes.

In the lamp industry, interest has grown of late in devices that provide mixed radiations, such as, for example, ultraviolet rays mixed with visible light or mixed with heat radiations. Heretofore, it has been customary to combine-separate radiators, such as ultraviolet transmitters and incandescent wires, within a single envelope in order to produce mixed rays of the ultraviolet and visible spectrums. Devices of this type have the disadvantag that when one of light sources becomes destroyed, the other light source cannot operate and the whole device must be discarded. Furthermore, the additional envelope that encloses the two radiating sources absorbs some of the desired rays, this absorption havin particular significance in the case where transmission of ultraviolet rays is desired. Other devices that do not combine the separate radiators within a single envelope have not been entirely satisfactory because they do not mix the various rays in a manner that will produce the most advantageous results.

A general object of the invention is the provision of an improved gas and/or vapor discharge tube that is adapted for simple connection with an ordinary incandescent lamp or with a heat radiator. Another object is to provide different radiators in a new arrangement that will operate when plugged into a lamp socket without requiring the use of special adapters and the like for mounting the same. A further object is to provide a combination of separate radiators that may be used in conjunction with a suitable reflector for'thoroughly mixing the separate radiations. Further objects and various advantages will appear from the following detailed description of the preferred forms thereof, reference being made to the accompanying drawings. The essential characteristics are summarized in the claims:

In said drawing:

Figure 1 is a vertical sectional view certain parts being fragmentarily shown, of one embodiment of my invention,

Figure 2 is a diagrammatic sketch of another embodiment of my invention showing the use of two reflectors, and

Figure 3 is a diagrammatic sketch of still another embodiment of my invention having a discharge tube combined with a heat radiator and arranged within a modified form of the reflector.

Throughout the several figures of the drawing like numerals designate corresponding parts.

Referring now to the embodiment shown in Figure l, the numeral l indicates a tubular discharge device, in this instance shown specifically as constituting an ultraviolet ray lamp, with an incandescent lamp 2 mounted thereon.

The ultraviolet ray lamp comprises an envelope 3 formed of quartz or a glass similar in character to quartz, two activated electrodes 4 and 5 which emit electrons when heated by the discharge between the electrodes, and an ignition electrode 5 located near the activated electrode 3. Further, the envelope 3 contains a fillin of rare gas of about 2 to 6 mm. pressure, and a quantity of mercury such that all the mercury becomes vaporized when the lamp operates. The electrode l is connected by the lead-in strip 1 to the center contact button 8 of a screw base 9 that is mounted on the end of the tubular envelope 3. The ignition electrode 6 is connected to the shell Ill of the screw base 9 through the high ohmic series resistance l l.

Mounted on the opposite end of the envelope 3 is the socket 12 preferably formed of electrically insulating material and having a metal inner shell 13, cementin material [4 being provided to bond the socket on the end of the envelope. Numeral l5 designates a contact plate which is positioned in the center of the end of the envelope so that when a conventional incandescent lamp 2 is screwed into the socket I2, an electrical connection will be formed between the electrodes 5 and said lamp through the leadin strip It. In order to complete the series circuit of the incandescent lamp 2 and the vapor discharge lamp I, a beaded conductor I! is provided on the outside of the lamp I, one end of said conductor being electrically connected to the shell is and its other end connected to the shell l3.

The above described structure provides a tubular vapor discharge lamp that carries on one end thereof a socket into which may be fitted a conventional incandescent lamp, and on its opposite end is provided with a screw base that may be fitted into a conventional socket such as the screw socket is that is connected to the terminals of a or 220 volt current source. The incandescent lamp being connected in series with the vapor discharge lamp serves a dual function of a ballast resistance and a source of visible light.

This arrangement of one lamp mounted on the end of a tubular lamp makes my invention useful in circumstances where it is not possible or desirable to use another arrangement wherein, for example, the lamps are mounted side by side.

The arrangement of this invention is adapted for fitting into electric plugs that are inaccessible to lamps arranged otherwise. Also, it is especially advantageous for providing mixed radiations that may be directed as desired by means of a reflector as shown at which may be suitably mounted on the socket is as, for example, with screws 2 I. Alternatively, the reflector 26 may be formed of cardboard or otherfoldable material with an inner coating of aluminum foil or the like, so that when the reflector is not in use, it may be stored away in a minimum space,

In the embodiment shown in Figure 2, two reflectors are used, the smaller reflector 25. being supported on the socket I2. Preferably, the reflector is constructed so that its rim does not extend beyond the rim of the reflector 26 in order to obtain more mixing of the diflerent radiations. If the reflectors are formed of cardboard or the like, it is desirable to provide a reflecting surface of metal foil, for example, on the outside surface of the reflector 25 whereby absorption of the radiation from the discharge device is substantially reduced. When it is contemplated to use the invention for medical purposes and an ultraviolet ray lamp is used in the position indicated by the numeral l, the rays should be dilfused over an area rather than being directed in a beam. The vertical position of the tubular lamp provides for increased diffusion since its arc extends outside of the focus point of the reflector and thereby causes its rays to become extended outwardly from the reflector. For like reasons, it is desirable to position the incandescent lamp 2 so that its resistance wire does not become located on the focus point or" the reflector 25.

As will be seen from an inspection of Figure 3, the invention contemplates the use of energy radiators other than incandescent lamps for positioning upon the tubular discharge device 1. In this instance, I have shown an infrared heater 39'of Well known construction supported within the socket l2. Also, the reflector may consist of two parts 31 and 32 each of which is shaped parabolically so that the heater may be positioned near the focus point of the top parabolic portion 32. When large radiators are used, it is usually desirable to provide ribs or the like between the two radiators for holding them in their respective positions. Also, supports between the socket l2 and the inner wall of the reflector may beprovided for this purpose, in an obvious manner.

In theforegoing specification, I have described various preferred forms of my invention. Further modifications and changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope thereof. For example, the specification and Figure 1 of the draw ng describe and illustrate an ultraviolet lamp in the position indicated by numeral This lamp may constitute any other type of radiator such as, for example, a fluorescent lamp. Other changes and modifications will doubtless occur to those skilled in the art. I, therefore, desire to have it understood that my patent is not limited to the exact forms described herein or in any manner other than by the scope of the appended claims.

What I claim is:

l. A device for combining different types of radiation comprising a tubular discharge lamp capable of emittingv ultraviolet radiations, said lamp including an ultraviolet radiation transmissible envelope havingsealed ends, an upper and a lower spaced activated. electrode at the .ends

thereof, an ionizable atmosphere within said envelope, a lower electrical base member having an upper tubular shell portion aflixed to the lower end of said envelope and a contact button at the lower end thereof electrically insulated from the shell portion, a first lead-.-in strip conductor mounted in the sealed lower end of said lamp and connecting the lower activated electrode to the contact button of said base, a lower electrical socket member having contact elements adapted to conduct electricity from a source of supply to said. contact button and said shell portion, a parabolic shaped reflector aflixed to said socket member and arranged to direct the radiations of said discharge lamp towards an object to be irradiated, a contact plate positioned centrally on the upper sealed end of said envelope, a second lead-in strip conductor. embedded in the upper sealed end of said envelope and interconnecting said contact plate with said upper activated electrode, an upper socket member mounted on the upper sealed end of said envelope of electrically insulating material having a metal inner shell aflixed thereto, a second radiation device, an upper electrical base member having an upper tubular shell portion affixed to the lower end of said second radiation device and a contact button at the lower endthereof electrically insulated from the shell portion and adapted to contact said upper contact plate when said upper memher and socket member are assembled and a beaded conductor interconnecting the shell portions of the upper and lower base members extending externally of said envelope, whereby a mixed radiation including at least an ultraviolet radiation is provided.

2. A device for combining different types of radiation as recited in claim 1 wherein said discharge lamp includes an auxiliary starting electrode located adjacent to and spaced from the lower activated electrode, said base and socket members are of the screw type, a third lead-in strip conductor mounted in the sealed lower end of said discharge lamp and connecting the auxiliary startingelectrode to the tubular shell portion through an. ohmic series resistance, and wherein said second radiation device is an incandescent lamp.

3. The device of claim 2 including a second reflector mounted on the upper socket member, therim of said first mentioned reflector extending beyond the rim of said second reflector, the resistance wire of said incandescent lamp being located outside of the focus point of the second reflector, and a reflecting substance on the outer surface of thesecond reflector whereby absorption of the ultraviolet radiation from the discharge lampis substantially reduced.

4. The device of claim 1 wherein said second radiation device isan infra-red heater and said reflector consists of a top and 'a bottom portion each of which is parabolically shaped, said heater being positioned near the focus point of the top parabolic portion.

References Cited in the file of, this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 706,314 Gilmore Aug. 5, 1 902 1,990,175 Foulke Feb. 5, 1935 2,072,205 Halpern Mar. 2, 1937 2,319,736 Jarmolowsky, May 18,1943 2,344,122 Bay Mar. 14,1944 2,398,111 Noel Apr. 9, 1946 

